Required to score 237 runs for victory, Border defeated Griquas by seven wickets with 11 balls remaining in their Standard Bank Cup fixture played at the De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley, on Wednesday.
After a cautious 44/2 scored off 15 overs start, pinch-hitter and Man-of-the-Match Tyron Henderson and Steven Pope 50 (71b) turned the match firmly in the visitor’s favour with an excellent 138 runs third-wicket partnership in 97 minutes.
Henderson, who gave a difficult caught and bowled chance to Zahir Abrahim with his score on 21 and should have been run out with his score on 83, went on to reach his first-ever limited overs century off only 85 balls in 117 minutes, and finished 126 not out (98 balls, 135m, 3×6, 8×4).
He and Craig Sugden (28) added 59 in only 30 minutes as Border charged to 239/3 in 43.1 overs and victory.
Earlier, winning the toss and batting, Griqua openers Pieter Koortzen and Martyn Gidley gave the home team a confident 89 runs start in 75 minutes before experienced left-hander Gidley was caught behind off Monde Zondeki for a well-played 52.
After putting on 59 for the second wicket in better than even time, Benji Hector (27) and Koortzen (64) were both bowled in successive Charl Langeveldt overs.
Though Loots Bosman contributed an explosive 42, the shot-selection of the Griqua middle and lower order batsmen left much to be desired. The home team collapsed in dramatic fashion from 190/3 to 236 all out against the always steady Border bowling attack.
Opening bowlers Tyron Henderson and Charl Langeveldt took 3/45 and 2/52 respectively and left-arm spinner Pieter Strydom 2/43. – Sapa